Liberals and Conservatives team up to push Canadians out of electoral reform

OTTAWA – On Thursday, the Liberals and Conservatives teamed up to vote against a motion brought forward by NDP MP Lisa Marie Barron to give Canadians more of a say over Canada’s electoral system.

Barron’s motion would have created a National Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform, giving Canadians a chance to provide recommendations on how to move forward with electoral reform.

“Canadians are facing really big problems right now; the detrimental impacts of the climate crisis, a lack of affordable housing, and keeping food in the table are all top of mind for people – and with that, Canadians should see a government that reflects them and their values” said Barron. “But both the Liberals and Conservatives showed Canadians today that they don’t want to move forward on better electoral representation.”

Justin Trudeau campaigned to make the 2015 election the last election under First Past the Post. However, Trudeau has continued to break his promise. With the current electoral system, a party can form a majority government with less than 39 per cent of the vote.

“You should get to have a say over how you’re represented in Parliament – and the Liberals refuse to act because their rich CEO friends don’t care as long as they’re getting massive government handouts,” added Barron. “And Pierre Poilievre and the corporate-controlled Conservatives are too busy working to make their rich donors happy. Neither is focused on what Canadians want to see change.”

“New Democrats, whether you’re a tradesperson, a teacher, a senior – or whoever, you should be represented in Parliament. We’re going to keep fighting to give you a say over Canada’s elections.”